Since adolescence, I have had knee pain and subluxation and many knee surgeries. Knee pain was a part of my life for over twenty years, but it became increasingly worse to the point where I had episodes of significant swelling every other week. It began interfering with my work, my commute, and limited my activities with my family. I was directed to Dr. Shubin Stein who recommended surgery to improve the alignment and stability of my patella while decreasing the stresses placed on it. When we first met, Dr. Shubin Stein told me that she couldn’t make me pain-free but she would make me feel better. I reluctantly agreed to surgery. I underwent a tibial tubercle osteotomy, medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, and De Novo cartilage graft.
It was a long road to recovery. I spent many hours working on my range of motion and strength in physical therapy. My therapists, Glen Rowell, PT of BiCounty Physical Therapy (an HSS Rehabilitation Network Member) and Theresa Chiaia, PT at HSS were an invaluable support system.
Dr. Shubin Stein told me that she would make me feel better but I never anticipated the end result. I feel AMAZING! My knee is better than it was twenty years ago! The experience has been life changing for me. I climbed Mt Crested Butte, elevation 12,162′ and I had no pain. I am a fun mom now! Over the winter I was able to run through the snow and sled and snowmobile with my two young boys. This summer we went to the ocean and jumped over the waves for hours. There is nothing better than hearing my children squeal with laughter as we play tag and chase each other across the yard! I wake up in the morning and I have no pain. I wish I could put that feeling into words but I can’t describe it. Finally, I am IN the game!
I’m a runner for over 20 years and after I ran the 2011 NYC Half Marathon, I started feeling some discomfort in my right knee, but I did not put too much attention. I went to see an orthopedic MD in Astoria and after an MRI and x-rays, he told me that my days as a runner were over, and that was one of the worst feelings that I ever experienced in my life. To know that running was over for me, I got depressed. After a few months, I decided to go for a second opinion and I found Dr. Howard Rose at HSS. He ordered a new MRI. He started a series of cortisone injections that helped with the pain, but still, I was not able to run. So, in a follow-up visit, he told me that I was a perfect candidate for Dr. Beth Shubin Stein. He referred me to her and since the first visit, I knew that she was the one that could help me. Dr. Shubin Stein and her great team were really honest and straight forward with me and she proposed and explained a procedure that can put me “back in the game.” I agreed to do the surgery called Tibial Tubercle Transfer with Denovo implant, which was performed in 12/2012. After a year of the surgery I was running again and after almost 2 years, I ran the 2014 TCS NYC Marathon. I can’t find enough words to express how thankful and blessed I am for having had a great surgeon such as Dr. Shubin Stein working on my knee. She is my superhero, my Wonder Woman and I’ll be grateful to Dr. Subin Stein for the rest of my life for giving me back the chance of enjoying again the passion of running. Thank You HSS!
I would first like to take the time to thank Dr. Beth Shubin Stein and her staff for giving me the best possible treatment and experience I could have hoped for. Not only did Dr. Shubin Stein fix my knee, but she got me back running in the shortest time possible!
While running my first full marathon in Disney World in 2010, I felt a very sharp pain in my right knee. Little did I know, that sharp pain was a lot more dangerous than I thought. Unfortunately, instead of listening to numerous doctors and physical therapists, I kept on running only to create a far worse problem in my knee cap. When I finally realized that physical therapy and cortisone shorts were not enough, I decided to go see Dr. Shubin Stein.
At the first initial visit, Dr. Shubin Stein was immediately able to recognize the condition in my patella and recommended the DeNovo surgery. Not only was she extremely knowledgeable of the surgery, but she thoroughly explained the process and how it was still considered experimental, but was very hopeful that it would work for me. A few short weeks later, I had the surgery at HSS and started my recovery program. In the matter of a month, I was back on my feet and in physical therapy. While it was hard work gaining strength and movement in my leg, I knew it would be worth it in the end.
One year later, I received the greatest news possible! All of the cartilage in my knee cap had rejuvenated and I was officially cleared to go back to doing what I love: running! I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the experience that I had at HSS with Dr. Shubin Stein and I recommend anyone who has even the slightest bit of knee pain to go see her! You will not be disappointed!!
I had an amazing experience with at HSS. Dr Shubin Stein did my TTT (Tibia Tubrical Transfer) on both knees, each 6 months apart, and then screw removal. Both surgeries went way better than I could have imagined. Previously, I had crunching and significant pain especially with stairs. Now I never have pain and feel free to to whatever exercise I desire. Within a year after the first surgery, I ran a Mud Run obstacle 5K with no pain during or after. Not only was the doctor amazing, but her staff, particularly Amy and Maggie, were always available via email or phone calls to help with any questions and made sure I was well taken care of during and after surgery.
